How many days do I need?
Two to four full days cover the highlights at a comfortable pace for most travellers.
🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
Nashville Travel Guide
Things to do in Nashville — Broadway honky-tonks and Music Row
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Why visit Nashville
Nashville is country music's capital — Broadway neon honky-tonks, the Ryman Auditorium's hallowed stage and a food scene that now rivals the soundtrack.
Nashville is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Broadway honky-tonks, Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: April–May and September–October. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
April–May and September–October
Weather
Humid subtropical — hot summers; mild winters
Airport
Nashville International (BNA)
Getting around
Walk Broadway; rideshare to Gulch and East Nashville; pedal taverns optional
Experiences
Things to do in Nashville
1
Broadway honky-tonks
2
Country Music Hall of Fame
3
Ryman Auditorium
4
Parthenon in Centennial Park
5
The Gulch
6
Grand Ole Opry
7
Music Row
8
Radnor Lake
Budget travel
Free things to do in Nashville
Parthenon in Centennial Park
Radnor Lake
Radnor Lake state park
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Nashville itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
- Visit Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Visit Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
- Eat at The Arcade
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit National Museum of African American Music
- Visit The Johnny Cash Museum & Cafe
- Visit Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
- Eat at Monell's
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Yazoo Brewery
- Eat at Swagruha
Budget
Nashville trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Nashville, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Nashville
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Nashville mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
Hattie B's Hot Chicken
Hot chicken · Nashville hot chicken institution
- $
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack
Hot chicken · Original hot chicken legend
- $$$$
The Catbird Seat
Tasting menu · Chef's counter destination
- $
Arnold's Country Kitchen
Meat & three · James Beard American classic
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
The Hermitage Hotel
Downtown · Beaux-Arts Nashville landmark
- $$$$
Thompson Nashville
The Gulch · Gulch rooftop design hotel
- $$$
Noelle
Downtown · Art-deco boutique favourite
Shopping
- Broadway souvenir shops
- 12 South boutiques
- Opry Mills
- Hatch Show Print
Nightlife
- Broadway honky-tonks
- The Bluebird Café
- Ryman Auditorium shows
- East Nashville bars
Museums & culture
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Johnny Cash Museum
- National Museum of African American Music
Local foods to try
- Hot chicken
- Meat & three
- Biscuits and gravy
- Goo Goo Cluster
Hidden gems
- Radnor Lake state park
- The Parthenon replica
- Printer's Alley history
Travel tips
- Bluebird Café — book tickets online far ahead
- Broadway cover charges add up — many bars free early
- Hot chicken heat levels — start medium
In pictures
Nashville gallery
Photos: Quintin Soloviev, Judsonnewbern, Warren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States, Jschnake, Peter K Burian — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Nashville travel FAQs
What are the best things to do in Nashville?
Top picks in Nashville include Broadway honky-tonks, Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, Parthenon in Centennial Park. See the full list and itinerary on this Nashville travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Nashville?
April–May and September–October.
How many days do I need in Nashville?
Plan at least 3 days in Nashville for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Nashville?
Popular stays in Nashville include The Hermitage Hotel, Thompson Nashville, Noelle. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Nashville cost?
On the ground in Nashville (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Nashville, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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